Brendan O'Connor

Poet Theo Dorgan and his sister Angela Dorgan remember their late brother, the Special Olympian Pat Dorgan who died this year but lived a life less ordinary.

With 2025 nearly upon us, Prof. Luke O’Neill brings his crystal ball into studio to predict what threats and innovation the near future might bring our way.

Lead singer of The Waterboys, Mike Scott, on five songs that have meant something special to him throughout his life. From Scott McKenzie to The Who, Thin Lizzy to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Taylor Swift. The Waterboys play Dublin’s 3Arena June 7th, then they’re at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast June 8th and at the Marquee in Cork on July 10th.

Joining Brendan to discuss the stories of the week were Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Advisor and former Government Minister, Prof Niamh Hourigan, Sociologist and Vice President at Mary Immaculate College, Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times and Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan, Psychology Lecturer and author.

The Coronas lead singer Danny O’Reilly talks to Brendan about five songs that changed his life, growing up in a musical household with his mother Mary Black, surviving the music industry and the secret to musical longevity.

Writer Henrietta McKervey delivers her verdict on the TV shows and movies of the week ahead.

The Sony PlayStation was a literal game changer when it first appeared 30 years ago. It became a cultural sensation selling 102.4 million units worldwide with legendary games like Tomb Raider and The Last of Us. Writer and games journalist Sarah Maria Griffin joins Brendan to discuss its legacy and the effect it had on the entertainment industry.

Whether it’s the United States, the UK, or South Korea, the ideological divide appears to be widening between young men and young women. Professor Pete Lunn of the ESRI talks to Brendan about the possible causes and consequences of these polarised world views.

Broadcaster and author Vanessa Feltz discusses events and allegations this week that have seen Gregg Wallace stepping back from his role as a MasterChef judge. She describes how the entertainment industry has, at times, created a culture of silence around inappropriate celebrity behaviour.

With Christmas just around the corner most people are on the lookout for a new laptop or phone - Elaine Burke, journalist and host of the For Tech Sake Podcast talks to Brendan about consumer consciousness and how buying secondhand tech and refurbished goods is the way forward